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Heather Dinich comments on possibility of Michigan reaching CFP without win over Ohio State
By Ethan Stone
Published:
Heather Dinich told Mike Greenberg on Get Up Tuesday morning that she would be shocked if Michigan made it into the College Football Playoff with a loss to Ohio State.
ESPN’s senior CFB writer explained that their resume simply does not hold up with a committee that will have set the bar very high this season in particular. As we enter Week 13 there are still 8 or so teams that could theoretically crack the field.
Here’s what Dinich had to say in full regarding Michigan’s chances without winning The Game.
“I would be shocked, Greeny, if Michigan got into the Playoff without beating Ohio State,” Dinich said. “Because if they don’t, they have one win against a CFP Top 25 team on their resume, against Penn State. One win. The bar is extremely high in that committee meeting room for any team that does not win its conference, let alone its division. Michigan had 4 straight home games to start the season. No non-conference wins against Power 5 opponents. Those are all things that will keep Michigan out of the Playoff if they don’t beat Ohio State.”
The odds seem to be stacked against Michigan as the days go by here. Jim Harbaugh not being on the sidelines is a massive disadvantage, not to mention Ohio State’s strong play in close games so far this season.
Even Ohio State may not be safe to make the playoff if they lose The Game. All 5 conferences still have a team in the running, and if all 5 win their conference championships it’s hard to imagine the Buckeyes make it through with a loss and no conference title.
Michigan and Ohio State will kick off at Noon this Saturday on FOX.
Ethan Stone was an editor for his student newspaper at the University of Tennessee and is now a News Manager for Saturday Tradition.